Sappurisasutta

Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.42

Numbered Discourses 5.42

5. Muṇḍarājavagga

5. With King Muṇḍa

Sappurisasutta

A True Person

“Sappuriso, bhikkhave, kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

“Mendicants, a true person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people.

mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

For the benefit, welfare, and happiness of mother and father;

puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

children and partners;

dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

bondservants, workers, and staff;

mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

friends and colleagues;

samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti.

and ascetics and brahmins.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahāmegho sabbasassāni sampādento bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

It’s like a great rain cloud, which nourishes all the crops for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people.

evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, sappuriso kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

In the same way, a true person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. …

mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hotīti.

Hito bahunnaṁ paṭipajja bhoge,

The gods protect one who is guarded by principle,

Taṁ devatā rakkhati dhammaguttaṁ;

who uses their wealth for the welfare of the many.

Bahussutaṁ sīlavatūpapannaṁ,

One who is learned,
with precepts and observances intact,

Dhamme ṭhitaṁ na vijahati kitti.

and steady in principle, doesn’t lose their reputation.

Dhammaṭṭhaṁ sīlasampannaṁ,

Firm in principle, accomplished in ethical conduct,

saccavādiṁ hirīmanaṁ;

truthful, conscientious;

Nekkhaṁ jambonadasseva,

like a pendant of Black Plum River gold,

ko taṁ ninditumarahati;

who is worthy to criticize them?

Devāpi naṁ pasaṁsanti,

Even the gods praise them,

brahmunāpi pasaṁsito”ti.

and by the Divinity, too, they’re praised.”

Dutiyaṁ.